Final message/newsletter for Term 1

Ahiahi pai JCS Whanau

This is the last newsletter of yet another disruptive term. It does however seem as though we are seeing the tail end of the pandemic, that would certainly be welcomed.

The Year started with the largest mihi whakatau we have had to date as we welcomed new staff, whanau and students who had commenced their learning journey at JCS from Term 3 and 4 last year and those who started this year. Our kapa haka team did us proud under the excellence tutelage of Mrs Stoffels, in spite of being absent from school for nearly six months.

We have hosted a number of student teachers from Laidlaw College who will return later in the year. Teachers and tamariki have been learning te Reo Māori through Te Puna Reo Māori this will continue throughout the year. Students and teachers have also been learning how to produce great sentences to spice up their writing. This professional learning continues to be delivered through Writers Toolbox. Years 5-8 are using a very engaging and motivating online platform to help them improve, edit and use feed back to improve their writing. Although late, the Progressive Achievement Tests, (PATs) and eAsTTLe writing samples were written and reliable data has been gathered to help inform teaching and learning for each student. Student progress and the strategic plan were shared via remote meetings this term, as was the whole school, Friday Assemblies.

Tiwai managed to squeak in a leadership day at Tree Adventures.

Our lovely Mrs Watts is leaving to go on maternity leave, starting an exciting new chapter in her and her husband Sam’s lives as they welcome their first bundle of joy into this world in late May.

A successful lockdown practice was held, with the guidance of Harrison- Tew who come with years of experience with the police and in keeping schools safe. Next term we will practise our evacuation procedures.

In place of the annual school picnic, we held a Happy Hearts Day where students enjoyed a number of outdoor games run by our very capable house leaders.

It has been great to see all our tamariki come dressed in mufti today to celebrate the end of the term and start of the holidays. Thank you for all the gold coins which will go to our TEAR Fund sponsor child Benimana from Rwanda.

As we move into Orange, we look forward to having our Friday morning assemblies indoors again. We will also be able to host meetings with parents and whanau on site. More information around mask wearing etc. will come out during the holidays in preparation for the start of term 2 and as new information regarding the above comes to light.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support through these tricky times. It has made the bumpy journey so much easier to navigate. We have nearly all our students back learning on site now, which is very encouraging. We are starting term 2 with a mihi whakatau to welcome new families, all are welcome to attend.

May the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection be as meaningful to you this Easter as it was when you first believed and may your holiday break be full of memorable moments.

Yours in His service

Sandra Bosman

Principal, JCS